Paper Raven Co. Blog
October 2021 Illustrated Desktop Wallpaper
This month's illustration has a spooky slant in honor of my favorite time of year, and favorite holiday, Halloween! I hope you enjoy!
* To receive the October Desktop Wallpaper, please click on the Graphic below:
Happy Spooky Season, everyone!
Warmly,
October 2020 Illustrated Desktop Wallpaper
A short and sweet blurb about this month's illustration, because even before we're properly into the Fall Season, our Holiday prep at the Paper Raven Co. Studio is going at full steam!
I wanted to do a simple illustration to capture some of the Halloweenie things I look forward to this month! Halloween is my favorite holiday, and because we're not sure exactly how we're going to be celebrating this year, I wanted to at least celebrate with a sort-of spooky desktop wallpaper. Burning question: what was your BEST Halloween costume growing up?
* To receive the October Desktop Wallpaper, please click on the Graphic Below!
I love to see your setup! Take a snap of your space with your new wallpaper, and tag me over on Instagram. I would love if you'd share this with your friends.
Thank you all so much again.
Be well this month, remember that it's still important to have fun, to rest and to dream; and remember that life is bigger than difficult moments.
(Also please go vote early!)
Warmly,
DIY Gold Painted Pumpkins
Halloween is my favorite Holiday. I mean, I like it more than Christmas. Maybe it's the air getting crisp on my morning walks with Patty, or maybe it's that everything is covered in Pumpkin Spice, or maybe it's the beautiful scenery and changing colors. Or the opportunity to carve pumpkins. This year, I wanted to do my own take on Pumpkin Decor, so I spent a nice sunny fall morning making this DIY to share with you. Enjoy!
Don't forget to post your finished pumpkins on Instagram and tag me at paperraven.co so I can see!
1. Gather your materials! I grabbed the mini Pumpkins from my local grocery store, and if you need some cheap (but good!) paint, you can head over to your local hardware store and grab a sample of Valspar "Satin" (pictured above) for like, $2! That's less than a tube of good acrylic, this art school grad will tell you. Pick up your favorite paintbrush and a Gold Sharpie. You may also want a cup of water for refreshing the brush and a paper towel.
2. Get ready to paint! Don't forget to shake up the sample for even pigment distribution!
3. Paint a flower shape. It doesn't have to be intricate - we will be adding the gold accents on top of the paint once it dries, and this is where the detail will come in.
4. Be free to make floral shapes, leaf shapes and berry shapes. Don't worry about messy edges - they will be covered in gold! Try to fill the front side of the pumpkin, or you can even cover the whole thing! Once the paint dries (about 20-30 minutes), apply a quick second coat.
5. Voila! They look so elegant and sophisticated - and the gold isn't even on yet! Let these babes dry for 30 minutes and make yourself a cup of coffee or tea.
6. Now the fun part! Using your Gold Sharpie, carefully outline each shape in gold. I found it was easier if I pressed lightly. Then, add in interior details like petals, leaf veins, and decorative elements. Have fun with it! You can go for realism or a graphic style or a mix of both.
7. The Gold Sharpie dries fairly quickly, but give them a good 5 minute sit so you can admire without smudging.
And there you have it! You can make as many of these as your heart desires! Here are some ideas:
- Nestle them at your front doorstep with a cinnamon broom and a basket of pinecones.
- Get the super mini gourd pumpkins and make each a place setting at your next Fall Get-Together.
- Fall Wedding? Make one for each of your tables for a pretty (and affordable!) centerpiece.
- Or, decorate your Thanksgiving Table and make a beautiful place setting, like we have done here:
Fabric Tablecloth, "Sweet Leaves and Berries" from Minted // PlaceCard, "Autumn Thicket" from Paper Raven Co. // Dinner Plate from World Market // Lantern from IKEA // Dessert Plate Thrifted
Don't forget to share your finished pumpkins on Instagram and tag me at paperraven.co so I can see! Or leave a comment here with how you used the DIY :)
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